Ecologist – Wetland Delineations / Impact Assessment

Company Description

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There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of nearly 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We’re one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Job Summary

AECOM is seeking an Ecologist with experience independently conducting federal and state wetland delineations and permitting in the Mid-Atlantic US (VA and MD focus) and participating/leading T&E habitat assessments and species surveys.

This position has excellent career growth potential within the leading, worldwide environmental services provider to industry and government. We are seeking a dynamic individual, capable of leading environmental impact assessment and permitting for a diverse set of projects that include federal and local government, transportation, energy, utilities, and data center development.

A successful candidate will mentor junior staff, provide technical expertise to internal staff and clients, and coordinate permit approvals with regulatory officials. This position will be based in either our Glen Allen or Arlington, VA office.

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Perform consulting projects to scope, schedule, and budget
• Lead wetlands and waters delineation field work, report writing, and federal & state JD requests
• Prepare permit applications for and coordinate permit approvals with USACE, VDEQ, VMRC, Local Wetlands Boards, MDE, MDNR, and others.
• Coordinate with USFWS, NMFS, DWR, DCR, and others regarding T&E species effects determinations
• Participate/lead T&E habitat assessments and species surveys
• Conduct wetland functions and values assessments, stream assessments utilizing the Unified Stream Methodology, and perennial flow determinations
• Conduct Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and/or Resource Protection Area delineation
• High degree of self-motivation and the ability to work independently with limited supervision, as well as in a collaborative team environment
• Perform very detailed work in a highly organized manner
• Self-motivated, driven, and hard working
• Mentor junior staff into lead roles
• Work directly with internal team members including project managers, engineers, planners, and junior staff, and with contractors, regulatory officials, and clients
• Write NEPA document sections (e.g. soil, water, wildlife, etc.) for CATEX, EA, and/or EIS documents
• Support additional environmental documents such as state environmental assessments, permit by rule, SCC applications, water quality impact analysis, and VDOT LAP due diligence summaries
• Ability to travel several days consecutively per month, some overnight travel required
• Proposal preparation

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• BA/BS degree plus 4 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education 
• Writing samples required that demonstrate you served as lead author on including wetland delineation reports, permit applications, and/or T&E habitat assessments/survey summaries
• Must be willing and capable of working in the field at times in inclement weather conditions, walking in uneven terrain and carrying some equipment that may weigh up to 15 lbs
• Valid US Driver’s License and must be able to pass AECOM’s Motor Vehicle Records review
• Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required

Preferred Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in an environmental science related field (such as but not limited to ecology, botany, forestry, soil science, and wildlife biology) is preferred
• 6 years of experience performing wetland delineations independently and leading field teams desired
• PWS certification helpful
• Wetland delineation and permitting experience in Maryland and/or Virginia desired
• VWP Permit Monitoring experience
• MD FCA Qualified Professional
• ArcGIS experience and data collection tools such as Collector, Trimble units, and others

Additional Information

• This is a hybrid role with 70% in office/remote work and 30% field work
• Relocation support is not available for this position
• Sponsorship is not available for this position
• All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines

Offered rate of compensation in (Virginia locations only) will be based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. The salary range for this position is $63,283 – $88,000.

AECOM is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, U.S and global well-being programs, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

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About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.